A Plea to American Voters: Let’s Behave as if We Believe

I have written two posts about the election that I decided not to post – I have post-election burnout and they haven’t even started counting votes. I can’t wait for it to all be over, except for the reality that we are picking a leader for our nation for the next few years. There’s so much that troubles me about this, but I’ve come to the opinion that further discussion is pointless. There’s more talking than listening going on, more anger than reason, more division than reconciliation, and I’m pretty sure that I’m more likely to give offense than to sway opinions.

My real burden all along has been for the church of Jesus Christ and our walk of grace and holiness in this world. On Wednesday, America will have a new president-elect (probably). It will be someone I do not respect and do not feel is qualified to be president – I won’t be rejoicing whatever happens. I am about 97% convinced Hillary Clinton is going to win this thing – probably easily enough that she will gloat and crow about a mandate. I will be turning the channel when she speaks – I genuinely, viscerally dislike that woman. If Trump pulls off the upset, I might be only slightly less displeased. For me, it is like when the Seattle Seahawks played the New England Communists in the Super Bowl – I’ve got no one to root for.

Our True Citizenship

I’m not trying to pick a fight but to make a point. Tomorrow, America will elect a candidate I don’t like, don’t believe is qualified to be president, don’t believe is an honest person of noble character, and is someone I will not have voted for.

Having said all of that, I want to make a simple point, with some follow-up applications.

In Philippians 3:20, Paul said, “our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a savior from there...” He was not engaging in any kind of ministerial hyperbole. I am a loyal American. I bleed red, white, and blue. But when I was born again, I was called to a higher citizenship, a heavenly citizenship, and that is where my ultimate passion must be. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reminds us that we are “ambassadors for Christ.” We represent him.

In our patriotic and partisan zeal, we must stay loyal to our ultimate ruler, our King. We must maintain our proper passion for Christ’s kingdom and our proper priority for representing him. Being Republican, Democrat, or something else, even being American, must take a back seat to being Christian, to glorifying Christ in all that we do.

I am not convinced we have always done that well.

Applying The Principle

Here are some biblically-based principles that I am not sure we have always remembered in the church. As the day after the election approaches, and before this becomes a specific and one-sided rebuke, permit me to make a few points.

1. Show some respect.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Romans 13:1-2

This has been a problem in the church since the first Clinton go-round. Because the president was pro-abortion, a philanderer, and not on “our side” in most issues, the Christian world declared by our actions and attitudes that these verses not longer applied. Showing respect for authority was not necessary. We were allowed to speak vile words of insult against “Billary” and later against President Obama because, after all, this is America.

Never mind that Paul wrote these admonitions under a government headed by men that make Bill, Hillary, and Barack look like Sunday School teachers. Openly hostile, violent, wicked, depraved – the Romans leaders were the real deal in sin! But every time I have reminded people of the call of Scripture to pray for leaders and to submit to them respectfully, I’ve been told that either our American democracy negates that admonition or the wickedness of the (Democrat) politicians does.

We have an American right to dissent from our government, to disagree with its policies and its laws. We should exercise that right. But withering insult and derogatory, demeaning name-calling are not godly – they are sin. There are lines we should not cross.

I have said some pretty harsh things about both Hillary and Donald on this site and on my personal blog. I can tell you that when one of them gets elected I will honor him or more likely her with my words – or at least with my silence. I may write a post criticizing the policies or actions of the president, but I will not engage in name-calling, rumor-spreading, meme-sharing personal insults against the leader that Romans 13 tells us God has put in place for his purposes.

Side note: For the love of all that is holy, could we stop with the “Killary?” It’s not witty, it’s not helpful, and if she gets elected on Tuesday, it’s disrespectful. We can do better. To honor our Savior, we must.

2. Thou shalt not lie.

Actually, the 8th commandment forbids bearing false witness, but the effect is pretty much the same. We are to be speakers of truth. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). We should not traffic in the language the enemy speaks.

I hate to break it to you, but most of the “news” that gets passed around the internet is either made up out of whole cloth or so twisted and inflated that it has little relationship to actual events. The internet lies, folks. If you are on social media, you have retweeted, shared, or forwarded a lie. You probably didn’t mean to do it, but you did anyway. When you realize you’ve done it, apologize, correct it, and move on. Remember, even major news organizations have been fooled.

But you have a responsibility to the truth, my redeemed friend. No matter how juicy that tidbit is about Hillary, no matter how much it feeds into your beliefs about her evil heart, it is wrong to share lies, to pass on false rumors, gossip, and conspiracies. And the sad fact is that right wing news sites have become hotbeds of disinformation. The same is true of left-wing sites. They subject truth to their agenda.

We must not tell lies.

Before you post, repost, share, or forward something, you are responsible to check it out to see that it is true and that it fairly represents the facts. There are sites that help with fact checking, but until you KNOW something is true, don’t share it. Assume that “news reports” that give information you LIKE are as biased as the ones that give information that you DON’T LIKE.

Speak the truth in love, even on social media.

3. The world is watching.

It is tempting, when I’m angry about something, to pop on social media and let ‘er rip. Most people know that I joke around a lot and much of what I write is meant in jest. But some people don’t get it. I was rebuked recently by a pastor who doesn’t know me for something I said on Facebook. Another time, a lady questioned my faith because I expressed disdain for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. Many people who read your posts won’t understand your humor, won’t get that you were joking.

We’ve got to ask ourselves whether what we post honors Christ.

Remember, the world is watching what you post. Yes, most of your friends are Christians, but many are not. When you post vicious and vile words about Hillary, or about Democrats, engage in name-calling and character assassination, it does not convince them of your point, but only feeds their prejudices about Christians.

If our primary concern is the kingdom of God then we will wash our words through a spiritual screen to make sure they represent the love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh. Can we express our opinions? I think so. We should. But we must avoid the kind of rhetoric that has all too often marked the church.

Remember, the world is watching. And judging.

4. Walk the Walk.

We walk by faith and not by sight. Our sight tells us the world is going to h-e-double-hockey-sticks in a handbasket, but the word tells us that God is sovereign and is working out his plan. It seems like Satan is winning the day, but the word tells us that he has lost and that Jesus will stand supreme.

We must walk by faith, not by sight, and show the world what a peace that passes understanding really is. We need to show the world we still believe Psalm 27:1.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?

Stop acting like Hillary winning is the end of the world. And if it is, Maranatha!

5. Group hug.

This election stands unique in recent memory. The conservative Christian world has always united around a candidate with a few mavericks going a different direction. But this year there has been a sharp conflict between those who have rallied behind Donald Trump and those who refuse to do so. Being a NeverTrumper, I’ve seen the vile slander, the accusations, the harassment, and the personal insults lodged against those on our side by those who support Donald Trump – firsthand. I should have saved my own personal “Hall of Fame” of insulting comments directed against me. But Trump supporters tell me they feel equally insulted by those of us who feel voting for Trump is an act contrary to biblical values.

On Wednesday, it is not only the nation that will be divided but the church.

We need to find a way to come together. We need to cover offense with grace. I’m not sure we will ever come to an agreement over who fired the first shot, who was more guilty, who did what to whom, but we can agree that grace is greater than our sins. We can agree that love covers a multitude of sins. And we can join hands together with all the redeemed, regardless of political stance, to serve God.

There are some political differences that must be worked out because they touch on who we are in Christ. We must decide how we are going to treat the strangers and refugees among us. There’s little argument as to whether abortion is right or wrong, but there is disagreement over whether it is the only issue that matters. Some say abortion trumps every other issue. Others believe that racism, injustice, and other sins stain the church and the nation in the same way abortion does. We have a host of differences.

But we have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism; one God and Father of us all.

The days ahead are going to be tough. If the church of Jesus Christ in America continues its fracturing, things will only get tougher. It is time for us to come together, put this election behind us, and renew our commitment to the work of Christ.

And whatever comes tomorrow, let’s behave personally and publicly as if we actually believe the words of Scripture that God is in control and that he is working all things for the good of those who love him. Let’s walk by faith and not by sight.

I’m not much of a hugger (especially man-hugging), but I see your point. But honestly, I wish Christians didn’t have to be reminded not to hold grudges. We’ve had some sharp disagreements over voting or not voting for Trump, but who cares? Once it’s over, it’s over. I’ll fight for my point of view until the last vote is counted, but then it’s time to move on.

Paul was a citizen of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. He had much grief for his people who were lost. Yet he counted anything that was as gain for him from this world as dung compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing and serving Christ Jesus.
For Jesus is to have first place or the preeminence in all things.
Thus we are to be Christians first and foremost for that is a kingdom that will last.
America will not last. It is temporary and exists only as God allows and for His purposes.

So let us imitate Paul, who loved his countrymen and desired their salvation but looked foremost to his place in the eternal kingdom. Let us continue to proclaim the Gospel to our families, our neighbors and to the uttermost parts of the earth. No matter who wins this election, we have a king on the throne forever.

Paul was a Roman citizen (not Israeli as “Israel” did not exist). Specifically he was born in Tarsis which was the capital of the Roman providence of Cilicia (present day south eastern Turkey along the Mediterranean). Indeed, he used his Roman citizen ship quite effectively to continue appealing his case up the Roman court systems, all the way to Rome and “potentially” to Nero himself. In doing this, he was able to travel farther and wider, spreading the gospel of Christ, than he may have been able to do on his own. It is not a stretch to say that Paul, used his Roman citizenship to glorify God. So I have to wonder why some are so quick to cast off what God has given them today, including but not limited to the ability to play a part in the governing and future of this Country. Perhaps, just perhaps, if we followed after Paul, and utilized our rights and citizenship in the United States to the fullest extent possible, maybe we would have revivals and movements of God as we claim to pray for.

I think you make some remarkably weak arguments here, but you also seem to be arguing against something that was not argued for.

I think you tend not to read carefully or something. I specifically said we should take advantage of our citizenship as Americans, but should balance that with keeping the highest priority on our heavenly citizenship.

And to argue that revival will come when we take advantage of our American citizenship instead of through our heavenly one is both mind boggling and unbiblical.

Israel did exist, by the way. It was a vassal nation with its own government (heard of Herod ?) and laws, though subject to the higher authority of Rome. One did not have citizenship in Israel as we think of it it was more like a family you were born into.

Paul made use of his Roman citizenship on a few occasions, but your premise that he somehow based his ministry on the foundation of his citizenship is absurd.

You might want to rethink this one.

November 8, 2016 9:21 am

Bill Mac

I don’t know if you are implying this, but I’m hearing it elsewhere. Just because someone is NeverTrump, doesn’t mean they won’t vote.

What is now the nation of Israel was then (1st Century AD) the Roman providences of Judea and Arabia Petraea. From the time that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria (720 BC), until 1946, no nation or government named Israel existed. As such, to call Paul a citizen of Israel flies in the face of biblical and historical truth. At best it is just a brainfart, at worst it shows complete and total ignorance of history. Yes Herod was the tetrarch of Judea, and it was a client state of Rome, but for the record, Paul was not from Judea, he was from Tarsus which again was in the Roman providence of Cilicia.

My point, is that while parsonsmike is correct in that Paul considered all things (his Roman Citizenship, his Jewish lineage, ect) as lost in comparison to the glories of Christ Jesus, he also clearly and undeniably used his Roman Citizenship to his benefit and ultimately God’s glory. Keep in mind, most people living at that day and age within the Roman Empire were not full citizens. Indeed, I believe it no coincidence that God chose Paul, nor that he was someone with full Jewish Heritage as well as full Roman citizenship. God clearly uses Paul’s earthly status as a Roman citizen for His glory. Foundation of his ministry? Maybe maybe not. Consider that as he was spreading the gospel in the gentile world (aka the Roman Empire) his citizenship afforded him some basic protections that others would not have. When he was speaking to Jewish audiences he would tout his Jewish heritage, but when speaking with gentiles, he would speak of his Roman heritage. He would become all things to all people. And his journey to Rome was clearly and undeniably due to his Roman citizenship because he was being taken there as part of his legal trials. Only a Roman Citizen had the right to do what he did and appeal his case all the way to Caesar.

Because of that, when I see or hear American Christians deminish their citizenship, put down the United States as a whole, it bothers me. Just as if I heard a christian from say Japan or Germany or Nigeria put down their countries as well.

SV,
Paul considered himself a member of the group of people who were physical descendants of Abraham. Whether or not there was an earthly legal citizenship does not change the idea that faithful Jews considered themselves part of Israel, the nation. Did not Daniel, in exile, look to Jerusalem when praying?
Second, Paul was a legal citizen of Rome and he did use that when appropriate to further the kingdom. But under certain circumstances: while he was in an ‘occupied’ territory of Rome where citizens of Rome had a status that gave them certain rights above non-citizens. Thus the current political climate is MUCH different now than it was then.
In other words, no one is seeking to imprison Christians for preaching the Gospel [yet] and claiming citizenship in the US of A isn’t going to help the situation when they do.
As to these “some” who are casting off what God has given them, you must know of people unrelated in any way to the people I know, for I do not see any such casting off.
And while I have no idea what will move God to have mercy on this country, I highly doubt that voting [a good work?] is what will move His hand when our sins and unbelief and denial of Him is so prevalent.
Now there are reports that tens of millions of Christians fail to vote. But there are also reports that tens of millions of Christians fail to go to church regularly and tens of millions of Christians fail to read the Word, and tens of millions of Christians are just Christians in name only.
If the problem in the USA is those who are called Christians failing, wouldn’t the solution be more on the lines of those who call themselves Christians going to church more and reading their Bibles more?

I continually think of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, which is right now experiencing a huge revival in the midst of tremendous persecution. There has always been a Christian presence in the countries there that allow a Christian presence. In recent times these have largely been Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and ancient Christian peoples like the Chaldeans and the Coptics. Inasmuch as these have enjoyed a kind of cultural Christianity over and against local Islamic pressures, they have survived in small numbers. They have been characterized as being raised in Christian families, evangelism being done in the bedroom so to speak. With the increased violent intensity of radical Islam in the area many of these groups have fled. In their place are new churches populated largely by Christians who are predominantly Muslim Background Believers (MBBs). This is a good trend. However, it would not have happened except by the instrument of violent persecution against Christians, and even against non-radical Muslims.

I see the same kind of thing here in the US. We have enjoyed a kind of prosperity in the country at the hands of generally faithful Christians. However, this prosperous Christianity has become largely cultural. (Interestingly, it’s like verbally denying a prosperity gospel while living one out in our everyday lives. “We have prosperity because we are a Christian nation” has been the theme song of American Christianity for decades now.) There are some important distinctions between the philosophical milieu of the cultural context that has fostered our cultural Christianity versus the cultural Christianity of the Middle East. However, the sovereign solution tends to be the same: temporal judgment in the form of persecution rids the church of the false, cultural Christians and replaces them with faithful Christians.

If Trump gets elected, we might (or might not) delay the progress of the increasing persecution. No doubt, Hillary will bring severe persecution in as fast as she possibly can. Either way, it will come. We will be forced to recognize the sins we have been blind to, and we will see revival in the wake of it. It may take a generation or two for it to happen, but it happens every time. Our call is to minister to our current context: a generation that is going through this, and it won’t look like the ministry of the previous generation. We must be faithful to that call.

When I went to the church this morning–it also serves as a polling place–I was intercepted by a guy who pushed into my hands one of those “voter guides.” I noticed that by the statement, “Will abolish the 2nd Amendment,” it had “Hillary: yes, Trump: NO!” When I asked the guy about this, he said, “Oh yes, if she’s elected, she will do away with it.” When questioned it, he replied, “Sure, she’ll abolish it. I heard her say it myself!” Then he went on to tell me that I was not a freedom-loving patriot unless I voted for Trump, and if I voted for anyone else, I was voting for tyranny. I tried to engage him–genuinely engage mind you–and instead, he turned away and went toward the next potential voter.

This is part of the problem that we conservatives have (and yes, despite what some of you choose to believe, I consider myself conservative both politically and theologically). We over-simplify (no President can “abolish” any Constitutional amendment, and to call for things like denying those on the terrorist watch list to buy guns, a ban on assault weapons, etc–whether they are right or not–is hardly the same as abolishing the 2nd Amendment. Also we engage in hyperbole, and then seem to think that our hyperbole is gospel truth. No wonder we have so much trouble reaching anyone who is not already conservative, especially among the younger people.